Today’s Tasting: 1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 17
Kings ruled the now divided northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The various immoral kings of Israel played a vital part in Israel’s descent into immorality and idolatry.
Baasha: walked in the ways of Jeroboam causing Israel to provoke the Lord with their sin.
Elah: it was customary for an ensuing dynasty to kill off anyone who remained from the former dynasty. Elah kept this custom intact and killed off the entire house of Baasha. Elah also provoked the Lord, while dragging Israel down with him.
Zimri: did evil in the sight of the Lord as he walked in the ways of Jeroboam and led Israel in the same acts of idolatry.
Omari: purchased a mountain from Shemer and called the mountain Samaria. Omri, also took on the ways of Jeroboam and committed more evil acts than all those before him as he sinned against the Lord.
Ahab: reigned in Samaria over Israel for twenty-two years. He took a wife, Jezebel, from the king of the Sidonians and served Baal and worshiped him.
“He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole as an idol for worship. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” (see 1 Kings 16:29-33 ESV)
The king of Judah, Jehoshaphat fortified Judah against Israel.
“The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father, David. He did not seek Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore, the Lord established the kingdom in his hand…he had great riches and honor” (2 Chronicles 17:3-5 ESV)
Jehoshaphat:
- Restored the Law of God
- Lived with a courageous heart
- Tore down the altars and places of worship to other gods
- Taught the cities and priests of Judah the Book of the Law
As a result, the Lord protected Jehoshaphat from other cities attacking. “Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater.” He built a strong army and city, called Jerusalem, giving him significant influence into the lives of the people.
Today’s Nourishment: Our influences make or break our families, work places, church communities, friends, and neighborhoods.
Jeroboam influenced Israel as a self-ruling, self-seeking, self-promoting, self-satisfying, and self-righteous man with hidden agenda in mind…while Jehoshaphat influenced Judah as a God-fearing, God-desiring, God-courageous, God-governing, and God-loving man, who taught and established God’s Law throughout Judah. The Lord honored Jehoshaphat and his ways.
I would like to influence others as I grow steadily greater in Christ as Jehoshaphat and not grow in the direction of Jeroboam and the immoral kings of Judah. How is this possible?
- Trust the Lord
- Live His Word
- Keep company with Christ
- Maintain healthy relationships with others
One of The Bible Feast Bloggers recently set a time for our group to gather and pray. This was a way to put all of these areas into practice. It was a powerful time together as we grow steadily together in relationship with Him and one another.
“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7 ESV)
Tomorrow’s Delight: 1 Kings 17-19
Carolyn Marlowe, CCLC
Gigi to six adorable grandchildren
Carolyn, I like that you said live the word, it’s so much more than just being in the word. I too want to influence others of living the Christ life and trusting a holy God that keeps His word And promises. God wants us to truly live out of Him!